How is a Judge Selected onto my Case? Can I Pick my Judge? Can I Change Judges?

Once the divorce proceedings are initiated by the Plaintiff (by filing the Complaint for Divorce), a Judge is randomly assigned to your case. Hence, you are not permitted to select your Judge.

Similarly, you are not permitted to change Judges and select a different Judge, even if you are unhappy with the Judge assigned to your case. The Court may, however, decide to assign another Judge onto your case if the Court determines that one Judge’s docket is busier in comparison to another Judge’s.

Finally, while you do have the option to petition the Court to request the removal of your assigned Judge, the threshold for removal is extremely high. You must prove that an apparent bias exists that prohibits your Judge from presiding impartially on your case. Given the high threshold, traditionally the Judge that is assigned to your case is the Judge that will remain your Judge throughout the duration of your case.